According to Austin police, a man committed offenses at several petrol stations throughout the city before leading officers on a chase that resulted in an accident and the man’s arrest.
Alexander Sanabria, 37, is accused of eight counts of aggravated assault with a weapon, three counts of aggravated robbery, dangerous conduct, criminal trespass, robbery, and evading arrest.
According to police, Sanabria entered an All-Star gas station on Nuckols Crossing Road around 11:15 p.m. on Sunday, November 24, fired multiple bullets inside, then fled the scene.
Then, at 9:23 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 25, police responded to a Chevron gas station on Scofield Ridge Parkway. The clerk informed cops that a male had entered the business and requested that a gas pump be activated. When Sanabria was told he needed to pay before a pump could be turned on, he demanded money from the register.
According to officers, Sanabria was ordered to leave the establishment and took a case of beer with him. When the clerk instructed him to halt, Sanabria pulled out a gun, requested that a gas pump be activated, and fired one shot toward the ceiling before driving away, according to authorities.
Another store employee recognized Sanabria from their social media interactions and informed the authorities.
A robbery call was received approximately 15 minutes later, at 9:38 a.m., from the Wells Branch Food Mart on Wells Branch Parkway.
According to police, Sanabria entered the business and asked that a petrol pump be turned on while clutching what seemed to be a firearm in his waistband.
According to authorities, the clerk obliged Sanabria and allowed him to steal gas from the store before driving away.
At 9:40 a.m., Austin police were dispatched to a 7/11 on Research Blvd. Service Road, where employees said that Sanabria entered the store and said “I’m going to need your money” before removing his shirt and displaying a weapon. According to police, he was able to seize cash from the register before driving away.
Around 1:25 p.m., police were dispatched to another petrol station where they were informed that Sanabria had entered the establishment and demanded cash. When approached by another employee, authorities said Sanabria discharged his gun into the ceiling and screamed, “I want all of the money.”
Officers said he pointed the gun at another employee and yelled, “Give me the money or I will shoot you in the face.” He fled with an unknown sum of money in the same vehicle as in previous cases.
Law officers from the Pflugerville Police Department, Travis County Sheriff’s Office, Department of Public Safety, and Round Rock Police Department were able to apprehend Sanabria, who led them on many high-speed pursuits before colliding.
Sanabria’s automobile contained a firearm and clothing that matched those observed on video, according to officers. He was taken to a local hospital for injuries sustained in the crash before being transported to jail.
Sanabria was being held at Travis County Jail.